Page 143 of Sinful Promise

I move around her so I can get a better view of the ties.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” I gently start untying the rope.

Her wrists are red from where she’s been pulling against them, so I do my best not to rub the rope against the delicate skin.

Emily shakes her head, and a wave of relief hits me.

“Danil, Igor is going to kill everyone. Even the childre—” Another wave of sobs comes over her.

I lean forward to press a kiss to her shoulder. “I’m not going to let that happen, you hear me? I promise. No one is going to hurt my family.”

“But—”

“Do you trust me, Em?”

“With my life.”

“I’m going to get us out of here.” I tug at the rope.

Emily winces, but stays quiet as I work as quickly as I can.

There is still no sign that Dimitri is here, and I’m starting to panic.

How am I meant to get Emily out when I only have one gun, and we could be facing dozens of guards?

If something were to happen, and she got caught in the crossfire…

“Danil?” she whispers, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Those three words have a choked sound escaping my lips.

I’ve wanted to hear them for so long, and I’ve wanted to say them for even longer.

The rope finally comes free, and I quickly pocket it before moving around Emily and taking her face in my hands.

“I love you too.” I kiss her once more.

Emily’s hands find my face and for a moment, I forget about what we might face when we leave this room. Because for right now, all that matters is that she loves me, and I love her.

“I’m so sorry this happened.”

I know that even if Emily can find it in her heart to forgive me, I’ll be carrying around this guilt for the rest of my life.

“It’s okay, Danil. It’s not your fault.”

“God, I thought I lost you…” I rest my forehead against hers.

“Me too.”

The voice I dread the most comes from the doorway. “Well, I wouldn’t want to interrupt such a touching moment.”

I don’t think, I just move.

I’m on my feet in an instant and move to stand in front of Emily as I face Igor.

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